Spalding

H. Curtis “Curt” Spalding, who headed Rhode Island’s Save The Bay for more than 20 years, Thursday was named regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in New England, the region’s top environmental post.

Spalding left Save The Bay in early 2008 and was considered a front-runner for the EPA post after President Obama was elected last year. But several other candidates were also in contention.

The regional administrator is a political appointee, but most people who get the jobs are former environmental officials from one of the region’s states. The regional administrator during most of the Bush administration was Robert Varney, an environmental commissioner from New Hampshire.

Spalding, 50, started his career at the EPA, working for two years in Washington and Boston. But his 20-year career as head of an environmental advocacy group makes him an unusual choice for the EPA post. He is also the first Rhode Islander named to the job.

“I’m very excited,” he said Thursday night. The possible appointment had been discussed for weeks, he said, and, all of a sudden, word came down Wednesday night. He said he had no idea where he’ll focus his attention, and he was anxious to meet with EPA staff soon at the headquarters in Boston.

Spalding’s wife, Patrice, a scientist, already commutes to her work in Boston from their home in Cranston. Now, Spalding said, he’ll join her. They have two children at home.

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse praised the decision by EPA administrator Lisa Jackson to tap Spalding. Reed, who strongly recommended Spalding for the job, said for 20 years he distinguished himself as a community leader and an “unyielding environmental advocate.”

Whitehouse said Spalding’s “efforts to encourage long-term investment in the Bay’s, and Rhode Island’s, future are a model for all of New England, and his sense of purpose, strength of character and integrity make him eminently qualified to be Region 1 Director at the EPA.”

Spalding came to Rhode Island in 1981 to work as a sailing instructor in Newport. He took an outreach job at the EPA and then joined Save The Bay in 1988 to work for Trudy Coxe, who was director at the time.

Coxe was credited with growing Save The Bay into New England’s largest and most outspoken environmental group. After Spalding succeeded her, he supervised several key environmental campaigns, expanded the group’s educational programs for urban youth and presided over the opening of Save The Bay’s $7-million “green” headquarters at the top of the Bay in Providence.

Spalding’s appointment comes at a poignant time for Save The Bay. Just a few weeks ago, the group’s founder, John T. Scanlon Jr., died at the age of 82. Now its third director is becoming the region’s top environmental regulator.

Jonathan Stone, who was Spalding’s successor at Save The Bay, congratulated him on his appointment.

“This is an inspired choice and an exciting new chapter in Curt’s career,” Stone said. “New England has gained a tireless advocate for the environment and a gifted leader.”

plord@projo.com